However, the selection process had been marred by bitterness over reports that UK party figures, such as Neil Hamilton and Mark Reckless, were likely to be given the top slots on the party’s regional list.

Leader of Ukip Wales, Nathan Gill, has confirmed that both Mr Reckless and Mr Hamilton be in the ballot, deciding who sits where in the lists' rankings.

Mr Gill indicated that he is a applying to be a candidate for North Wales.

"I live in North Wales, I'm going for North Wales," he said. "If I am successful I will be stepping down as an MEP."

"I believe that it is better for us to have representation in the Welsh Assembly - which is a UK British legislature, and that is where we can make the most difference."

Mr Gill, asked who the next Ukip Wales MEP will be, said nothing had been finalised.

The leader said Alexandra Phillips and Kevin Mahoney had put themselves forward for South Wales Central, and confirmed that Neil Hamilton in Mid and West Wales and Mark Reckless in South Wales East will be put to members.

He said it was true that there was tension between himself and other NEC members over the selections. He said: "We've had differing opinions. Ultimately we've come to this decision because we were not able to reach an agreement."

The MEP said on BBC Radio Wales: “Neil Hamilton, Mark Reckless, myself and lots of other people applied for the process. The process decided however many people from that application were suitable.

“We couldn't put 20 or 30 people forward, it was narrowed down and for the membership to then decide who they want to be in the all important number one and two slots.”

In a statement Mr Gill said: “Nigel Farage and I are delighted that the members of Wales will be given the opportunity to vote on who represents UKIP in the Welsh Assembly.

“Throughout my political career, I have always argued that important decisions should be made by people and not the political elites. The people know best.

“For a long time I wanted the Welsh membership to have a greater say in who represents our party in the elections in Wales.

Nigel Farage added: “I have long argued that the UKIP members in Wales should get the final say on who represents our party in the Welsh Assembly Elections."

Who is Neil Hamilton?

(Image: Mirror)

Neil Hamilton is a former Conservative junior minister who was born and raised in Wales before becoming a Conservative politician.

After rising in the ranks, the ex-MP became a by-word for sleaze in the 1990s.

He and his wife, Christine, later became minor celebrities.

He was born in Fleur-de-Lis, near Blackwood, in 1949, and grew up in the Carmarthenshire town of Ammanford.

Mr Hamilton began his political career in 1983 in the Tatton constituency. He had served as a Conservative Trade Minister but became embroiled in the row over whether or not he had accepted cash to ask questions in Parliament.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

The allegations against him ended his parliamentary career, with Mr Hamilton beaten at the 1997 General Election by Martin Bell, on an anti-corruption ticket.

Mr and Mrs Hamilton later tried to forge a broadcasting career.

The two appeared in a Louis Theroux documentary, while Mrs Hamilton herself took part in I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here.

Mrs Hamilton had her own BBC chat-show, and even reached the end of Celebrity Masterchef in 2010.

Mr Hamilton since tried to revive his political fortunes by joining Ukip, although he stepped away from seeking selection as a candidate in 2014.